Allen Jones

From WikiLeaks

Revealing efforts by US drug companies to influence government officials.

An investigator in the Pennsylvania Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Jones gained widespread attention as a whistleblower after voicing concerns about attempts by the pharmaceutical industry to implement a mental health screening plan in Pennsylvania, based on the controversial Texas Medication Algorithm Project. In 2002, Jones discovered evidence of payments, primarily from Pfizer and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, into an off-the-books account, earmarked for educational grants to be doled out in Pennsylvania. Jones' investigation revealed Janssen paid government officials who influenced decisions over which drugs were prescribed in prisons and mental hospitals. In May 2004 the British Medical Journal reported Jones had uncovered evidence major drug companies sought to influence government officials. Jones was escorted out of his workplace on April 28, 2004, after OIG officials accused him of talking to the press. Jones was relieved of his duties because he breached OIG guidelines that no worker may report confidential data. Jones indicates he chose to disclose his findings to the press because of corrupt behavior by OIG officials themselves, alleging the OIG's policy was "unconstitutional." Jones further alleged, in a wrongful termination suit, OIG officials had sought to "coverup, discourage, and limit any investigations or oversight into the corrupt practices of large drug companies and corrupt public officials who have acted with them."